Rotary cap closure for tubes



Aug. 24, 1954 R. REINISCH ROTARY CAP CLOSURE FOR TUBES Filed May 14, 1951 3 nventor attorneys Patented Aug. 24, 1954 UNITED STATES ATENT OFFICE,

4 Claims.

The present invention relates to a rotary cap closure for tubes, particularly collapsible tubes, with a sealing disc placed under the pressure of the rotary cap at the same point. Such closures offer certain difficulties in comparison with the usual known closures with screw caps since they are only usable when the constant position of the sealing disc is ensured, with its eccentric opening registering that of the tube top.

' In such rotary cap closures it is known to arrange opposed recesses in the edge of the sealing disc in which pips of the tube neck engage, for securing the sealing disc against rotation. The operation of these pips is independent of the pressure to which the sealing disc is subjected and is dependent on the strength of the edge. Since the sealing disc is thin its edge can scarcely meet the continuous stresses. Several pips which penetrate endwise into the sealing disc are known in screw closures, but are not applicable to rotary cap closures since they tear the sealing disc after short use.

In the rotary cap closure according to the invention, the problem of preventing rotation of the sealing disc is solved in conjunction with the problem of ensuring satisfactory sealing, by the fact that the pressure of the closure cap on the sealing disc performs both functions. According to the invention this is secured in that the shaping of'the tube top consists of ribs in a circle surrounding the eccentrically positioned outlet opening of the tube and extending approximately radially. The circular rib may consist of a ring of radially directed teeth.

Two embodiments according to the invention are shown in the accompanying drawings by way of example, in which Figures 1 and 2 show one construction in section and in plan respectively, and

Figures 3 and 4 are similar views of another construction, the sealing disc being removed in Figures 2 and 4.

Referring to the drawings, an eccentrically positioned moon-shaped outlet opening 3 is provided for the tube contents in the top 1 of the tube head 2. Raised parts are pressed out of the top I, comprising in the first place a small ring rib 4 lying near the edge of the top and several railial ribs 5. The ribs 4 and 5 enter into the sealing disc 6 lying on the top I and thereby hold it firmly when the cap 8 is rotated, the disc 6 being provided with an opening I covering the opening 3. The closure cap 8 exerts a constant pressure on the sealing disc and is held in place by the fact that projections 9 in the head of the tube engage a ring groove in the cap.

The described construction takes account of the fact that the sealing action of the disc 6 increases with the pressure exerted thereon by the cap 8 and at the same time avoids a damaging stressing of the disc. The ring groove 4 operates only slightly for prevention against rotation, but exerts an increased pressure on the sealing disc in a circle around the outlet opening, which makes the sealing very effective. The radial ribs 5 ensure safety against rotation in the most effective manner in that the stresses of the disc are so distributed that this can be formed of soft elastic material such as rubber giving an improved safety against rotation. Such a highly elastic sealing disc however, because of its great adhesion to the closure cap may tend to partake in its rotation. According to a further feature of the invention the sealing disc 6 is coated with a metal foil II on the side facing the cap 8,

- whereby the friction between the cap and the sealing disc is reduced. For purpose aluminium and zinc foils of about 0.05 mm. thickness have proved useful. The usual thin cork discs may also be used.

In the construction according to Figures 3 and I 4 the circular ribs for preventing rotation of the sealing disc are extended. In place of a simple ring rib, a row of radially directed teeth ID are provided which extend not quite to the edge of the top I. As a result of the closely spaced teeth there is obtained, as in the first embodiment, a pressing of the disc in a ring-shaped zone and also an effective sealing. Furthermore the teeth give numerous engagement points at a great distance from the rotational axis of the cap 8, whereby safety against rotation of the disc 6 with it is increased. The stressing of the disc is, in this case, very favorably distributed and as a result of the additional compression of the disc it can be easily gripped at that point by the pressure of the teeth. The teeth moreover need not be sharp and may be approximately humpshaped or rounded.

What I claim is:

1. In a collapsible tube closure the combination comprising a tube including a neck with a top closure plate having an opening, rib means projecting from the outer face of the closure plate and completely surrounding the opening, other rib means projecting from the outer face of the closure plate and extending radially of the first projecting means, a non-rotatable sealing disc freely supported on the closure plate and the projecting means and having an opening registering in-a predetermined position with the closure plate opening, a cap rotatable on the neck and sealing means, and means on the neck engaging the inner surface of the cap and holding same against axial motion and pressing the sealing disc against the closure plate and the projecting means thereon.

2. The combination according to claim 1 and wherein the sealing disc is coated with metal foil on the side facing the cap.

3. The combination according to claim 1 and wherein the first projecting rib means is an annularly arranged series of radial teeth.

4. The combination according to claim 3 and wherein the sealing disc is coated with metal foil on the side facing the cap.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Number Name Date Duskow Apr. 22, 1930 Sato June 3, 1930 Green Apr. 21, 1936 Monnet May 18, 1943 Greene Oct. 22, 1946 FOREIGN PATENTS Country Date Great Britain Apr. 23, 1931 

